NATO Facing ‘Very Real’ Arms Shortage Due to Ukraine War

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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) arms stockpile is dwindling due to the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a U.S. ambassador.

Ambassador Julianne Smith, permanent U.S. representative to NATO, made the comments during an interview Tuesday with Dr. Kathleen McInnis, a senior fellow in the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ International Security Program.

“This is a very serious challenge, both for NATO allies that are giving serious commitment, significant military assistance/lethal assistance to the Ukrainian military forces, but it is a significant challenge for the Ukrainian military forces themselves that are facing shortfalls and declining stockpiles,” said Smith, who was appointed in November 2021.

She said there are efforts taking place among myriad entities and organizations to increase stockpiles. (Read more from “NATO Facing ‘Very Real’ Arms Shortage Due to Ukraine War” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

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Russia’s Ammo ‘Rapidly Dwindling,’ May Begin To Run Out in Early 2023: Pentagon

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The Russian military is quickly running out of artillery and rocket ammunition, Pentagon officials said Monday, and the Russian army can only sustain its current rate of attack in Ukraine until early next year.

A senior U.S. defense official told reporters on a conference call that Moscow is increasingly turning to Iran and North Korea to replenish its “rapidly dwindling” stockpiles of rocket and artillery rounds, which have been crucial to Russia‘s months-long assault on Ukraine‘s energy infrastructure.

The Russian military has relentlessly attacked Ukrainian civilian targets across the country in recent months ahead of the looming winter season, but the current pace may only be sustainable for another few weeks or months at best. (Read more from “Russia’s Ammo ‘Rapidly Dwindling,’ May Begin To Run Out in Early 2023: Pentagon” HERE)

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War Could ‘Spin Out of Control’, NATO Chief Warns – As Zelenskyy Says Russians Have ‘Destroyed’ Bakhmut, Nuclear Risks Skyrocket

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By Sky News. Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of the military alliance, today warned that fighting in Ukraine could spin out of control – and become a war between Russia and NATO. . .

He added: “It is a terrible war in Ukraine. It is also a war that can become a full-fledged war that spreads into a major war between NATO and Russia.

“We are working on that every day to avoid that.”

Mr Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway, added that “there is no doubt that a full-fledged war is a possibility,” saying it is important to avoid a conflict “that involves more countries in Europe and becomes a full-fledged war in Europe.”

The Kremlin has accused NATO allies of effectively becoming a party to the conflict by providing Ukraine with weapons, training its troops and feeding military intelligence to attack Russian forces. (Read more from “Ukraine War Latest: War Could ‘Spin Out of Control’, NATO Chief Warns – As Zelenskyy Says Russians Have ‘Destroyed’ Bakhmut” HERE)

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After U.S. Approves Ukrainian Drone Strikes Deep Into Russia, Putin Officials Warn of Nuclear War Risk

By Will Stewart and Abul Taher. Vladimir Putin’s henchmen warned last night that the fighting in Ukraine could escalate into an ‘all-out nuclear war’ after America gave Ukraine the green light to launch drone strikes deep inside Russia.

The Russian officials were responding to reports that the Pentagon had told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky that he can launch the attacks within Russia, which the US previously advised against, fearing an all-out war between Russia and Nato.

One source in Putin’s circle said last night: ‘This is playing with fire, risking full-scale war which could easily go nuclear.’

Another said: ‘Who will now give Moscow the green light for strikes against Ukrainian decision-making centres?’ (Read more about the Ukraine war going nuclear HERE).

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U.S. Defense Secretary Announces that Russia is Rapidly Modernizing, Expanding its Nuclear Arsenal

By Christine Fernando. Russia is “modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned in remarks Friday.

“As the Kremlin continues its cruel and unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine, the whole world has seen Putin engage in deeply irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling,” Austin said at a ceremony for the new commander of the U.S. Strategic Command.

With close to 6,000 warheads, Russia has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world, according to Reuters. The U.S. and Russia together hold about 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads, the news wire reported.

Russia has previously said it will prioritize building its nuclear infrastructure in 2023. But this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed concerns he would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. He said his reminders about Russia’s nuclear weapon arsenal are a “factor of deterrence” rather than one of escalation. (Read more about the risk of the Ukraine war going nuclear HERE)

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Iran Is Now Putin’s ‘Top Military Backer’, US and UK Warn

By Independent UK. The British defence ministry today reiterated the Biden administration’s claims that Iran has become one of Russia’s ‘top military backers’ since Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

It warned that Tehran’s support to the Russian military is likely to “grow in the coming months”.

(Read more from “Iran Is Now Putin’s ‘Top Military Backer’, US and UK Warn” HERE)

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Putin Considers Preemptive Nuclear Strike Doctrine, Boasts Russian Cruise Missiles Surpass U.S. Equivalents

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that his country could adopt the doctrine of preemptive nuclear strikes while boasting that Russia’s cruise missile capabilities surpass those of the U.S.

Speaking at a summit of former Soviet nations in Kyrgyzstan, the Russian dictator referred to what he called America’s preemptive nuclear strike doctrine, saying that Russia is “thinking about” implementing something similar. Currently, Russian military doctrine states that Moscow can use a nuclear strike if the country comes under nuclear attack or the existence of the country is threatened.

“Speaking about a disarming strike, maybe it’s worth thinking about adopting the ideas developed by our U.S. counterparts, their ideas of ensuring their security,” Putin remarked with a smile, according to the Associated Press.

In October, the Pentagon rejected any limits on using nuclear weapons in its new National Defense Strategy, Bloomberg reported. Officials mentioned international threats from Russia and China as the reason for the refusal.

“[B]y the 2030s the United States will, for the first time in its history face two major nuclear powers as strategic competitors and potential adversaries,” the Pentagon said, adding that the U.S. will “maintain a very high bar for nuclear employment.” (Read more from “Putin Considers Preemptive Nuclear Strike Doctrine, Boasts Russian Cruise Missiles Surpass U.S. Equivalents” HERE)

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China May Have Surpassed US in Number of Nuclear Warheads on ICBMs

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The U.S. may no longer enjoy a numerical advantage against China in certain elements of its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program, according to Strategic Command, which oversees the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

STRATCOM recently sent a classified determination to Congress pursuant to a clause in the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires congressional notification if China overtakes the U.S. in at least one of three components regarding its ICBM stockpile.

James Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, pushed the Pentagon to declassify the determination as required under the law in a letter sent Monday to STRATCOM commander Admiral Charles Richard.

“We’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to China’s growing military might,” Inhofe wrote on Twitter, where he publicized the letter. “The [Biden administration] must be open and honest with the American people about the threat Beijing poses to global order and our way of life.”

Mike Rogers of Alabama, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, also signed onto the letter alongside the ranking members of the Strategic Forces panels in both chambers: Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo. (Read more from “China May Have Surpassed US in Number of Nuclear Warheads on ICBMs” HERE)

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Putin Declares ‘American World Order’ Is Ending, ‘a Truly Multipolar World’ Has Begun

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The war in Ukraine could mark the end of an international world order led by the United States, according to comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

What Happened: In July, Putin told lawmakers in Russia that the dominance of the U.S. could be over soon, according to a report from Newsweek.

“They should have realized that they have already lost from the very beginning of our special military operation,” Putin said. “Its beginning also means the beginning of a radical breakdown of the American world order.”

Putin’s comments reference the involvement of the United States in providing support to Ukraine and also placing sanctions on Russia.

“This is the beginning of the transition from liberal-globalist American egocentrism to a truly multipolar world.” (Read more from “Putin Declares ‘American World Order’ Is Ending, ‘a Truly Multipolar World’ Has Begun” HERE)

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China Refuses to Use U.S. mRNA Vaccines Even Though Chinese COVID Cases Are at All Time High

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Chinese leader Xi Jinping is unwilling to accept Western vaccines despite the challenges China is facing with COVID-19, and while recent protests there are not a threat to Communist Party rule, they could affect his personal standing, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said on Saturday.

Although China’s daily COVID cases are near all-time highs, some cities are taking steps to loosen testing and quarantine rules after Xi’s zero-COVID policy triggered a sharp economic slowdown and public unrest. . .

China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent on Sunday.

China has not approved any foreign COVID vaccines, opting for those produced domestically, which some studies have suggested are not as effective as some foreign ones. That means easing virus prevention measures could come with big risks, according to experts. (Read more from “China Refuses to Use U.S. mRNA Vaccines Even Though Chinese COVID Cases Are at All Time High” HERE)

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Russia Willing to Discuss Ending Bloody War With Ukraine — If Demands Are Met

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The Kremlin on Friday once again claimed it was “open to negotiations” on ending the war in Ukraine, but only if the West accepts its demands.

“The president of the Russian Federation [Vladimir Putin] has always been, is and remains open to negotiations in order to ensure our interests,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to comments made Thursday by President Biden, according to Reuters.

Biden and Putin have not spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine nine months ago, and Peskov’s comments were the second time in two days that the Kremlin signaled they would be open to resuming talks with Washington.

However, Rebekah Koffler, a Russia expert and former DIA intelligence officer for Russian Doctrine & Strategy, told Fox News Digital, “Make no mistake, Putin is not caving.”

“This is likely a distraction,” she added, pointing out that Putin was also in talks with Western nations, including the U.S., as he was preparing to invade Ukraine in February. (Read more from “Russia Willing to Discuss Ending Bloody War With Ukraine — If Demands Are Met” HERE)

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Persecuted Christians in Nigeria Hoping for Trump Resurgence

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Donald Trump may be facing headwinds within the Republican Party after the disappointing midterm elections, but in the killing fields of Nigeria embattled Christians long for his return.

“Since [Trump] left office, there is no one speaking for us anymore,” said a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Solomon Maren, to The Epoch Times.

“The American government under Trump made sure religious freedom was guaranteed in Nigeria,” said Maren, who represents a district of Plateau state in the Nigerian House of Representatives.

Maren and other opinion leaders interviewed by The Epoch Times bemoan the fact that the Biden administration does not acknowledge religious freedom is being violated in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 24, 2021 in New York. (John Angelillo/Getty Images)
More than 1,000 Nigerians were murdered for their faith in the first three months of 2022, and the nation witnesses more such deaths than the rest of the world combined, according to Open Doors, a human rights NGO. (Read more from “Persecuted Christians in Nigeria Hoping for Trump Resurgence” HERE)

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Chinese Cities Cut Back COVID Restrictions After Protests

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Two cities in China have loosened some COVID restrictions after massive protests rocked the country in recent days.

The cities of Guangzhou and Chongqing said they will cut back on COVID restrictions following the outcry of citizens across the country. Chongqing will now permit close contacts of those who are infected with COVID to stay at home while they quarantine if they meet certain requirements, according to a city official. Guangzhou also said it will let up on the restrictions, but officials did not discuss the demonstrations. The area where violence broke out on Tuesday was still under strict rule. On Monday, protesters demolished a COVID testing site in Guangzhou, leading police to take action to scatter the groups of people.

China’s “zero-COVID” policy has been a key strategy in President Xi Jinping’s attempt to control the virus, but the intense restrictions and crackdowns on citizens appeared to be reaching a breaking point in recent days.

Health authorities in China also toned down their discussions of COVID, reportedly telling local governments not to take part in lockdowns that are long and unnecessary.

“International and domestic monitoring data confirmed that the pathogenicity and virulence of the Omicron mutant strains … are significantly weaker than the original strain and variant strains such as Delta,” Chang Zhaorui, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the press. (Read more from “Chinese Cities Cut Back COVID Restrictions After Protests” HERE)

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